Birth

:

September 14, 1933

Death

:

June 30, 2009

Genre

:

Choral

 

Harve Presnell was an American actor and singer who was born on September 14, 1933, in Modesto, California. He was the son of an auto mechanic and a housewife. Presnell grew up in a musical family, and his parents encouraged him to pursue his passion for music. He started singing in church choirs and school musicals at a young age. Presnell attended the University of Southern California, where he studied music and drama. He was a member of the USC Trojan Men's Chorus, which performed at the 1953 Academy Awards ceremony. After graduating from USC, Presnell moved to New York City to pursue a career in musical theater. Presnell made his Broadway debut in 1960 in the musical "The Unsinkable Molly Brown." He played the role of Johnny Brown, the husband of the title character, played by Tammy Grimes. Presnell's performance earned him a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. The show was a hit, running for over 500 performances and launching Presnell's career. Presnell went on to star in several other Broadway musicals, including "The Student Prince" (1963), "The Most Happy Fella" (1979), and "Annie" (1982). He also appeared in numerous regional theater productions, including "Man of La Mancha," "South Pacific," and "The Music Man." In addition to his work on stage, Presnell also had a successful career in film and television. He made his film debut in 1962 in the Western "The Unsinkable Molly Brown," reprising his role from the Broadway musical. He went on to appear in several other films, including "Paint Your Wagon" (1969), "The Glory Guys" (1965), and "Saving Private Ryan" (1998). Presnell also had a successful career on television, appearing in numerous shows throughout the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. He had recurring roles on "The Pretender," "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman," and "Andy Barker, P.I." He also appeared in several made-for-TV movies, including "The Great White Hope" (1970) and "The Legend of Lizzie Borden" (1975). Throughout his career, Presnell was known for his powerful baritone voice and his ability to perform a wide range of musical styles. He was particularly well-known for his performances of classical and operatic music. He performed with several symphony orchestras throughout his career, including the Boston Pops, the New York Philharmonic, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. One of Presnell's most memorable performances was his rendition of "They Call the Wind Maria" from the musical "Paint Your Wagon." The song became a hit and was later covered by several other artists, including Johnny Cash and the Kingston Trio. Presnell received several awards and honors throughout his career. In addition to his Tony Award nomination, he was also nominated for a Drama Desk Award for his performance in "The Unsinkable Molly Brown." He was inducted into the Modesto Junior College Hall of Fame in 1984 and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003. Presnell continued to perform throughout his career, even after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2008. He passed away on June 30, 2009, at the age of 75. His legacy as a talented actor and singer lives on through his recordings and performances, which continue to inspire and entertain audiences around the world.

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